Polysiloxanes represent a unique class of synthetic polymers, employing a completely inorganic backbone structure comprised of repeating –(Si–O)n– 'siloxane' main chain linkages. This results in an assortment of diverse properties exclusive to the siloxane bond that clearly distinguish them from the –(C–C)n– backbone of purely organic polymers. Previous work has elucidated a methodology for fabricating flexible and elastic crosslinked poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) constructs with high Mc through a simultaneous crosslinking and chain-extension methodology. However, these constructs suffer the poor mechanical properties typical of lower molecular weight crosslinked siloxanes (e.g. modulus, tear strength, and strain at break). Filled PDMS networks represent another important class of elastomers in which fillers, namely silica and siloxane-based fillers, impart improved mechanical properties to otherwise weak PDMS networks. This work demonstrates that proper silicon-based reinforcing agent selection (e.g. siloxane-based MQ copolymer nanoparticles) and incorporation provides a synergistic enhancement to mechanical properties, whilst maintaining a low viscosity liquid composition, at high loading content, without the use of co-solvents or heating. Rheological analysis evaluates the viscosity while photorheology and photocalorimetry measurements evaluate rate and extent of curing of the various MQ-loaded formulations, demonstrating theoretical printability up to 40 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and tensile testing evaluated thermomechanical and mechanical properties of the cured nanocomposites as a function of MQ loading content, demonstrating a 3-fold increase in ultimate stress at 50 wt% MQ copolymer nanoparticle incorporation. VP AM of the 40 wt% MQ-loaded, photo-active PDMS formulation demonstrates facile amenability of photo-active PDMS formulations with high MQ-loading content to 3D printing processes with promising results. PDMS polyureas represent an important class of elastomers with unique properties derived from the synergy between the nonpolar nature, unusual flexibility, and low glass transition temperature (Tg) afforded by the backbone siloxane linkages (-Si-O)n- of PDMS and the exceptional hydrogen bond ordering and strength evoked by the bidentate hydrogen bonding of urea. The work herein presents an improved melt polycondensation synthetic methodology, which strategically harnesses the spontaneous pyrolytic degradation of urea to afford a series of PDMS polyureas via reactions at high temperatures in the presence of telechelic amine-terminated oligomeric poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS1.6k-NH2) and optional 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (BATS) chain extender. This melt polycondensation approach uniquely circumvents the accustomed prerequisite of isocyanate monomer, solvent, and metal catalysts to afford isocyanate-free PDMS polyureas using bio-derived urea with the only reaction byproduct being ammonia, a fundamental raw ingredient for agricultural and industrial products. As professed above, reinforcement of polysiloxane materials is ascertained via the incorporation of reinforcing fillers or nanoparticles (typically fumed silica) or blocky or segmented development of polymer chains eliciting microphase separation, in order to cajole the elongation potential of polysiloxanes. Herein, a facile approach is detailed towards the synergistic fortification of PDMS-based materials through a collaborative effort between both primary methods of polysiloxane reinforcement. A novel one-pot methodology towards the facile, in situ incorporation of siloxane-based MQ copolymer nanoparticles into segmented PDMS polyureas to afford MQ-loaded thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer PDMS polyureas is detailed. The isocyanate-free melt polycondensation achieves visible melt dispersibility of MQ copolymer nanoparticles (good optical clarity) and affords segmented PDMS polyureas while in the presence of MQ nanoparticles, up to 40 wt% MQ, avoiding post-polymerization solvent based mixing, the only other reported alternative. Incorporation of MQ copolymer nanoparticles into segmented PDMS polyureas provides significant enhancements to modulus and ultimate stress properties: results resemble traditional filler effects and are contrary to previous studies and works discussed in Chapter 2 implementing MQ copolymer nanoparticles into chemically-crosslinked PDMS networks. In situ MQ-loaded, isocyanate-free, segmented PDMS polyureas remain compression moldable, affording transparent, free-standing films. / Master of Science / Polysiloxanes, also referred to as 'silicones' encompass a unique and important class of polymers harboring an inorganic backbone. Polysiloxanes, especially poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) the flagship polymer of the family, observe widespread utilization throughout industry and academia thanks to a plethora of desirable properties such as their incredible elongation potential, stability to irradiation, and facile chemical tunability. A major complication with the utilization of polysiloxanes for mechanical purposes is their poor resistance to defect propagation and material failure. As a result polysiloxane materials ubiquitously observe reinforcement in some fashion: reinforcement is achieved either through the physical or chemical incorporation of a reinforcing agent, such as fumed silica, or through the implementation of a chemical functionality that facilitates reinforcement via phase separation and strong associative properties, such as hydrogen bonding. This research tackles polysiloxane reinforcement via both of these strategies. Facile chemical modification permits the construction PDMS polymer chains that incorporate hydrogen bonding motifs, which phase separate to afford hydrogen bond-reinforced phases that instill vast improvements to elastic behavior, mechanical and elongation properties, and upper-use temperature. Novel nanocomposite formulation through the incorporation of MQ nanoparticles (which observe widespread usage in cosmetics) facilitate further routes toward improved mechanical and elongation properties. Furthermore, with growing interest in additive manufacturing strategies, which permit the construction of complex geometries via an additive approach (as opposed to conventional manufacturing processes, which require subtractive approaches and are limited in geometric complexity), great interest lies in the capability to additively manufacture polysiloxane-based materials. This work also illustrates the development of an MQ-reinforced polysiloxane system that is amenable to conventional vat photopolymerization additive manufacturing: chemical modification of PDMS polymer chains permits the installation of UV-activatable crosslinking motifs, allowing solid geometries to be constructed from a liquid precursor formulation.

Mechanical forces have been observed to affect various aspects of life, for example, cell differentiation, cell migration, locomotion and behavior of multicellular organisms etc. Such forces are generated either by external entities such as mechanical touch, fluid flow, electric and magnetic fields or by the living organisms themselves. Study of forces sensed and applied by living organisms is important to understand the interactions between organisms and their environment. Such studies may reveal molecular mechanisms involved in mechanosensation and locomotion. Several techniques have been successfully applied to measure forces exerted by single cells and cell monolayers. The earliest technique made use of functionalized soft surfaces and membranes as substrates on which cell monolayers were grown. The forces exerted by the cells could be measured by observing deformation of the substrates. Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) is another sensitive instrument that allows one to exert and measure forces in pico-Newton range. Advances in micromachining technology have enabled development of miniature force sensors and actuators. Latest techniques for mechanical force application and measurement use micromachined Silicon cantilevers in single as well as array form and micropillar arrays. Micropillar arrays fabricated using soft lithography enabled the use of biocompatible materials for force sensors. Together, these techniques provide access to a wide range of forces, from sub micro-Newton to milli-Newton. In the present work, types of forces experienced in biological systems and various force measurement and actuation techniques will be introduced. This will be followed by in depth description of the two major contributions of this thesis, 1) ―Colored polydimethylsiloxane micropillar arrays for high throughput measurements of forces applied by genetic model organisms‖. Biomicrofluidics, January 29, 2015. doi: 10.1063/1.4906905 2) ―Air microjet system for non-contact force application and the actuation of micro-structures‖. Journal of micromechanics and microengineering, December 15, 2015. doi: 10.1088/0960-1317/26/1/017001 Device developed for force measurement consists of an array of micropillars made of a biocompatible polymer Poly Dimethyl Siloxane (PDMS). Such devices have been used by researchers to measure traction forces exerted by single cells and also by nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). C. elegans is allowed to move in between the micropillars and the locomotion is video recorded. Deflection of the micropillar tips as the worm moves is converted into force exerted. Transparent appearance of C. elegans and PDMS poses difficulties in distinguishing micropillars from the worm, thus making it challenging to automate the analysis process. We address this problem by developing a technique to color the micropillars selectively. This enabled us to develop a semi-automated graphical user interface (GUI) for high throughput data extraction and analysis, reducing the analysis time for each worm to minutes. Moreover, increased contrast because of the color also delivered better images. Addition of color changed the Young‘s modulus of PDMS. Thus the dye-PDMS composite was characterized using hyper-elastic model. The micropillars were also calibrated using commercial force sensor. Analysis of forces exerted by wild type and mutant C. elegans moving on an agarose surface was performed. Wild type C. elegans exerted a total average force of 7.68 µN and an average force of ~1 µN on an individual pillar. We show that the middle of C. elegans exerts more force than its extremities. We find that C. elegans mutants with defective body wall muscles apply significantly lower force on individual pillars, while mutants defective in sensing externally applied mechanical forces still apply the same average force per pillar compared to wild type animals. Average forces applied per pillar are independent of the length, diameter, or cuticle stiffness of the animal. It was also observed that the motility of the worms with mechanosensation defects, lower cuticle stiffness, and body wall muscle defects was reduced with worms that have defective body wall muscle having the largest degree. Thus, we conclude that while reduced ability to apply forces affects the locomotion of the worm in the micropillar array, the reduced motility/locomotion may not indicate that the worm has reduced ability to apply forces on the micropillars. We also used the colored micropillar array for the first time to measure forces exerted by Drosophila larvae. Our device successfully captured the peristaltic rhythm of the body wall muscles of the larva and allowed us to measure the forces applied on each deflected pillar during this motion. Average force exerted by 1st instar wild type Drosophila larvae was measured to be ~ 1.5 µN per pillar. We demonstrated that a microjet of air can be used to apply forces in micro-Newton range. We developed a standalone system to generate a controlled air microjet. Microjet was generated using a controlled electromagnetic actuation of a diaphragm. With a nozzle diameter of 150 µm, the microjet diameter was maintained to a maximum of 1 mm at a distance of 5 mm from the nozzle. The force generated by the microjet was measured using a commercial force sensor to determine the velocity profile of the jet. Axial flow velocities of up to 25 m/s were obtained at distances as long as 6 mm. The microjet exerted a force up to 1 µN on a poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) micropillar (50 µm in diameter, 157 µm in height) and 415 µN on a PDMS membrane (3 mm in diameter, 28 µm thick). We also demonstrate that from a distance of 6 mm our microjet can exert a peak pressure of 187 Pa with a total force of about 84 µN on a flat surface with 8 V operating voltage. Next, we demonstrated that the response of C. elegans worms to the impinging air microjet is similar to the response evoked using a manual gentle touch. This contactless actuation tool avoids contamination and mechanical damage to the samples. Out of the cleanroom fabrication and robust design make this system cost effective and durable. Magnetic micropillars have been used as actuators. We fabricated magnetic micropillar arrays and designed actuation mechanisms using permanent magnet and a pulsed electromagnet. Force of about 19 µN was achievable using a permanent magnet actuation. In a pulsed electromagnetic field micropillar exerted a force of about 10 µN on a commercial force sensor. These techniques have promising applications when actuation needs to be controlled from long distances.